Apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure

ABSTRACT

An automatic apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure, for use in a container packaging machine. A conveyor container support rail slidably supports a plurality of containers as they are moved along the rail by a conveyor chain from a receiving station to a discharge station. A folding means is disposed at a first work station along the support rail for folding a first closure panel to a partially closed adhesive receiving position. A closing means is disposed at a second work station along the support rail for folding a second closure panel to a closed position, and simultaneously moving said first panel to a closed position with the free edge of said second closure panel overlapping said first closure panel. An adhesive applying means is disposed along the support rail between the first and second work stations for applying adhesive to the outer surface of said first closure panel. A sealing pressure means is disposed at a third work station along the support rail for exerting a sealing pressure on the closure panels.

United States Patent 1191 Owen [ Oct. 2, 1973 APPARATUS FOR FOLDING, CLOSING AND SEALING A CONTAINER FLAT END CLOSURE [75] Inventor: Barry C. Owen, Southfield, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Ex-CeIl-O Corporation, Detroit,

Mich.

221 Filed: July 12,1972

21 Appl. No.: 271,317

[52] U.S. Cl 53/378, 53/376, 53/383, 93/44.l GT [51] Int. Cl B65b 7/18 [58] Field of Search 53/378, 376, 375, 53/285, 377, 379, 266, 383; 93/44.l GT

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,153,374 10/1964 Borkmann et al. 53/377 X 3,619,979 11/1971 Martensson et al. 53/375 X Primary ExaminerTravis S. McGehee Att0rney.lames H. Bower [57] ABSTRACT An automatic apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure, for use in a container packaging machine. A conveyor container support rail slidably supports a plurality of containers as they are moved along the rail by a conveyor chain from a receiving station to a discharge station. A folding means is disposed at a first work station along the support rail for folding a first closure panel to a partially closed adhesive receiving position. A closing means is disposed at a second work station along the support rail for folding a second closure panel to a closed position, and simultaneously moving said first panel to a closed position with the free edge of said second closure panel overlapping said first closure panel. An adhesive applying means is disposed along the support rail between the first and second work stations for applying adhesive to the outer surface of said first closure panel. A sealing pressure means is disposed at a third work station along the support rail for exerting a sealing pressure on the closure panels.

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saw us or 11 .PATENTED 2 75 SHEET us or 11 PATENTED um zms SiEU'lUUFH PATENIEUUBT 'ama sum 11 or 11 APPARATUS FOR FOLDING, CLOSING AND SEALING A CONTAINER FLAT END CLOSURE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to container packaging machines, and more particularly, to an apparatus for use in such machines for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure.

Machines have been provided heretofore for closing and sealing paperboard containers having flat end closures. However, the container flat end closures closed and sealed by such prior art machines were of the type which required certain parts to be tucked or inserted into other parts. Such flat end closures require costly and complicated closing and sealing machines. The apparatus of the present invention is constructed and arranged to provide a simple and compact structure for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure which may be closed by a minimum number of simple folding operations without the need for any inserting or tucking-in operations.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an automatic apparatus, for use in a container packaging machine, which is adapted to receive an erected and filled container having a flat end closure which is closed by simple folding operations, and which apparatus is constructed and arranged to fold a first panel of said closure to a partially closed adhesive receiving position, then to apply adhesive on the outer or upper surfaces of said first panel, and then to fold a second panel and the first panel to closed positions with the free edges of the second panel overlapping the first panel to provide a substantially fluid-type, flat-ended container for frozen liquids and flowable materials, such as sugar, soap, powders, chemicals and the like. The container may be made from any suitable material as, for example, a thermoplastic coated paperboard container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure, and which apparatus includes a conveyor support rail that slidably supports a plurality of containers as they are moved along the rail by a conveyor chain from a receiving station to a discharge station. A folding means, in the form of a folding rod or a power operated shoe, is disposed at a first work station along the support rail for folding a first closure panel to a partially closed adhesive receiving position. A closing means, in the form ofa closing rod or a power operated shoe, is disposed at a second work station along the support rail for folding a second closure panel to a closed position, and simultaneously moving the first panel to a closed position with the free edge of said second closure panel overlapping said first closure panel. An adhesive applying means is disposed along the support rail between the first and second work stations for applying adhesive to the outer surface of said first closure panel. A cooled, sealing pressure means is disposed at a third work station along the support rail for exerting a sealing pressure on the closed closure panels. The conveyor support rail is adjustably mounted for vertical adjustment for conveying containers of various capacities.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatic apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure which is simple and compact in construction, economical to manufacture,

and efficient and fast in operation so as to close and seal foldable fiat end closures which are substantially sift-proof and moisture-proof.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, appended claims, and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a broken, side elevational view of an illustrative apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container top end flat closure in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged, right hand elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1, taken along the line 2-2 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged, plan view of the right end structure of FIG. 1, taken along the line 3-3 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged, plan view of the left end structure of FIG. 1, taken along the line 4-4 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 3, taken along the line 5-5 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, enlarged, plan view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1, taken along the line 6-6 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, enlarged, elevational section view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 6, taken along the line 77 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, enlarged, elevational section view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 6, taken along the line 8-8 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, enlarged, elevational section view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 6, taken along the line 9-9 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 9A is a fragmentary, elevational view of an application of a single stream of adhesive.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, elevational section view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1 1, taken along the line 10-10 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, plan view of a second embodiment of the invention which employs a pair of rods for folding, closing and sealing a container top end flat closure.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, elevational section view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 11 taken along the line 12-12 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, elevational section view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 11, taken along the lines 13-13 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 11, taken along the line 14-14 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary plan view of a third embodiment of the invention which employs a pair of power operated folding and closing bars for folding and closing a container top end flat closure.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary, elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 15 taken along the line l6- 16 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The automatic apparatus of the present invention is adapted to fold, close and seal container flat end closures of the type which may be closed by a minimum number of simple folding operations without the need for any inserting or tucking-in operations. An illustrative example of a container flat end closure which is particularly adapted 'to be folded, closed and sealed by the apparatus of the present invention is disclosed and described in detail in the co-pending application of Harry B. Egleston, Ser. No. 187,364, filed Oct. 7, 1971, entitled FLAT END CLOSURE CONTAINER WITH RECLOSABLE POUR SPOUT. Said application is assigned to the assignee of the subject application, and the disclosure therein of said container flat end closure is incorporated herein by reference for a more complete description of the same.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. I, the apparatus of the present invention is shown as being incorporated in a container packaging machine which includes a console or base 10 which is provided with suitable supporting legs. The apparatus of the present invention includes a container conveyor means which comprises an elongated support rail 11 that is operatively carried on the base 10, as more fully described hereinafter.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the support rail 11 has a container receiving station 12 at the entrance end thereof, at which point the rail is adapted to receive erected containers 13 through a suitable chute 14 from the preceding packaging machine apparatus which receives container blanks and fabricates, erects and closes the bottom ends thereof in a conventional manner. A container packaging machine of the type adapted to provide an erected container with the bottom closed is disclosed and described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 3,120,089. As shown in FIG. 1, the opposite or right hand end of the support rail 11 is the discharge end or station, and it is indicated by the numeral 14.

The support rail 11 is adjustably mounted on the base 10 for moving the support rail upwardly and downwardly to support containers of various capacities. As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge end 14 of the support rail 11 is operatively mounted on the upper end of a vertically disposed gear rack 17 by any suitable means, as by a hinge pin 18. The support rail 11 is illustrated in FIG. 2 as being channel-shaped in vertical cross section and with the upper end of the gear rack 17 disposed between the legs of the channel shape.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gear rack 17 is slidably supported by an upper guide sleeve 19 and a lower guide sleeve 20. The guide sleeves l9 and 20 are fixedly connected to and supported by a base transverse frame structure, indicated by the numeral 21. As best seen in FIG. 5, the gear rack 17 is moved upwardly and downwardly by a pinion 22 which is fixedly mounted on the rear end of an elongated shaft 23. The rear end of the shaft 23 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearing means 24 carried in the base frame structure 21. As shown in FIG. 4, the front end of the support rail 11 is also supported by a second vertically disposed gear rack 17a that is slidably mounted in guide sleeves identical to 19 and 20. The front end of the shaft 23 carries a second pinion 22a which is meshed with and drives the gear rack 17a upwardly and downwardly when the shaft 23 is rotated. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the front end of the shaft 23 is journaled in suitable bearings supported in the base frame structure 25.

The shaft 23 is adapted to be rotated by the following described manually operated structure. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a gear 28 is fixedly mounted on the extreme rear end of the shaft 23, and it meshes with and is driven by a worm gear 29 which is fixedly mounted on a transverse shaft 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the shaft 30 is rotatably supported by suitable bearing members 31, 32 and 33 which are suitably supported on the base 10. A crank handle 34 is operatively mounted on the outer end of the shaft 30 for manual rotation of this shaft. The shaft 30 is adapted to be retained in an adjusted position by a suitable detent locking lever means 35. It will be seen that the support rail 11 can be adjusted upwardly and down-wardly to support different sizes of containers thereon.

As shown in FIG. 4, the packaging machine with which the apparatus of the present invention is used is provided with a suitable container pusher means indicated generally by the numeral 38, which is adapted to engage the containers or cartons 13 as they are deposited on the receiving station of the support rail 11 and push them to the right, as shown in FIG. 4, for engagement with a pair of container pusher links 39 carried on the conveyor chain means generally indicated by the numeral 40. The pusher means 38 comprises a pad or plate 41 which is operatively connected to a support arm 42 that is hingedly carried on the upper end of a lever 43. The lower end of the lever 43 is pivotally attached to the base 10 at a pivot point 44. A cam operating lever 45 has one end thereof pivotally mounted to the lower end of the lever 43 at a pivot point 46. The other end of the cam lever 45 is operatively connected to a cam follower roller 47. The cam roller 47 is operatively mounted in a cam track 48 on a rotating cam 49 which is operatively mounted on a shaft 50. The shaft 50 is adapted to be continuously rotated in a timed sequence by the packaging machine main drive means in the same manner as the machine components are operated in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,120,089.

As shown in FIG. 1, the containers 13 are moved along the support rail 11 by the conveyor chain means 40 in a predetermined sequence from the receiving station 12 to an operative position under a conventional top breaker unit, generally indicated by the numeral 53. The top breaker unit 53 is constructed and it functions in the same manner as the top breaker unit disclosed in FIGS. 10 and 12 of the aforementioned U. S. Pat. No. 3,120,089.

The conveyor chain means 40 next moves the containers 13 to a position indicated by the numeral 13a in FIG. 1, under a conventional filler apparatus which is adapted to fill the containers. The container under the filler apparatus 54 is positioned on a conventional vibrator plate 55 which is operatively mounted at that point on the support rail 11.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the conveyor chain means 40 comprises three endless conveyor chains indicated by the numerals 40a, 40b and 40c. The conveyor chains 40a and 40b are mounted along the inner side of the support rail 11, in vertical aligned positions spaced above the rail 11. The chain 40c is disposed along the front side of the support rail 11, in a position spaced thereabove, and opposite the upper chain a. One end of the chain 40a is trained around a drive sprocket 56 which is disposed ajdacent the rear end of the rail 11, as shown in FIG. 2. One end of the chain 40b is trained around a drive sprocket 57 adjacent the rear end of the rail 11. One end of the chain 40c is trained around a drive sprocket 58 which is disposed on a plane horizontal with the sprocket 56.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drive sprockets 56 and 57 are operatively mounted on a common vertical shaft 59 which is journaled at its upper end in a suitable bearing means 60 operatively mounted on a supporting bridge structure 61 that is carried on the machine base 10. The lower end of the shaft 59 is operatively mounted in a suitable bearing means 62 which is operatively supported on the base frame 21. The lower end 63 of the shaft 59 is formed to receive a crank handle for manual turning of the shaft 59.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drive sprocket 58 is also suitably fixed to a vertical shaft 64 that has its upper end operatively mounted in a suitable bearing means 65 which is carried on the bridge 61. The lower end of the shaft 64 is operatively mounted in a suitable bearing means 66 which is carried on the base frame 21. The lower end 67 of the shaft 64 is also formed to receive a crank handle for manual adjustment of the shaft 64.

As shown in FIG. 4, the conveyor chain means 40 extends forward along the support rail 11 to a point adjacent the receiving station 12 where the endless conveyor chains 40a, 40b and 400 are trained around idler sprockets at their forward ends. The forward end of the chain 400 is adapted to be operatively mounted around an idler sprocket 70 which is operatively mounted on a vertical stud 71 that is carried in a suitable bearing means 72. The bearing means 72 is operatively supported on a bracket 73 which is carried on a transverse bridge supporting frame 74 that is carried on the machine base 10. The forward end of the lower chain 40b is also operatively mounted around a similar idler sprocket as 70 in a position below and vertically aligned with the idler sprocket 70. The conveyor chain 40c has its forward end operatively mounted around a similar idler sprocket 75 which is operatively mounted on a vertical stud 76 that is supported in a suitable bearing means 77. The bearing means 77 is carried on a bracket 78 which is supported by the transverse bridge 74.

In FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the endless conveyor chain 40a is guided between the aforementioned sprockets in its travel from one end of the support rail 11 to the other end by a pair of longitudinally disposed and laterally spaced apart chain guide channels 79 and 80. The endless conveyor chain 40b is guided by a pair of similar guide channels 83 and 84, as shown in FIG. 2. The endless conveyor chain 400 is similarly guided by a pair of guide channels 81 and 82, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the rear end of the chain guide channels 79 and is connected by a transverse support plate 87 which is secured to the underside of the guide channels by any suitable means, as by machine screws 88. The support plate 87 is fixed at its outer end to a vertical support plate 89 by any suitable means, as by machine screws 90. The upper end of the vertical support plate is operatively attached by any suitable means to a support bracket 91 carried on the transverse bridge 61.

As shown in FIG. 3, a longitudinal container guide rail 92 is secured to the lower end of the support plate 87. The guide rail 92 extends longitudinally of the support rail 11 and is adpated to be engaged by the sides of containers being moved over the support rail 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the support plate 89 extends downwardly, and a transverse support plate 93 is secured to its lower end by suitable machine screws 94. The support plate 93 is attached by further machine screws 94 to the undersides of the chain guide channels 83 and 84. A container guide rail 95 is also attached to the lower side of the inner end of the support plate 93 by machine screws 94. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the chain guide channels 79 and 80 are also interconnected by a plurality of transverse tie bars 96 which are 1 secured to the lower ends of the guide channels by any suitable means, as by the machine screws 97.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the front end of the chain guide channels 79 and 80 are also interconnected by a transverse support bar similar to the transverse support bar 87 which has its outer end fixed to a vertical support plate 89 that is suitably attached to the underside of the bridge 74. The chain guide channels 79 and 80 are also connected at an intermediate point to the central support bridge 98, illustrated in FIG. 1, in the same manner as the ends thereof are connected to the bridges 61 and 74. As shown in FIG 4, a longitudinally disposed container guide rail 92 is also secured in place to the underside of the track 79 by screws 97.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the lower chain guide channels 83 and 84 are also provided with a plurality of Iongitudinally spaced transverse tie bars 96 which are secured to these guide channels by suitable machine screws as 97. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the guide channels 81 and 82 are also interconnected at a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart positions by transverse tie bars 96 and machine screws 97. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the front and rear ends of the guide channels 81 and 82 are attached to the support bridges 61 and 74 in the same manner as the guide channels 79 and 80. The guide channels 81 and 82 are also similarly connected to the intermediate support bridge 98.

A plurality of longitudinally disposed container guide rails as 101 are operatively mounted above the support rail 11 by suitable support arms which depend from the guide channel 81. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, additional longitudinally disposed container guide rails 104 are positioned adjacent the support rail 11 by brackets 102 which are secured to the support rail 11 by suitable machine screws 103. The guide rails 104 are secured by machine screws 105 to the upper end of the brackets 102.

The aforedescribed conveyor chain means is adapted to be driven in an intermittent manner by an open end cam 107, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The conveyor chain means could also be driven in a continuous motion. The cam 107 is operatively mounted on the longitudinally disposed shaft 50 on which the previously described pusher arm cam 49 is mounted, and which is driven by the machine main drive means. The rotating cam 107 is adapted to intermittently engage the six cam rollers 109 in its cam track 108. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cam rollers 109 are rotatably mounted on a cam roller carrier plate 10 which is rotatably supported on a shaft 110 that is supported in a vertical support sleeve carried on the base frame 21.

The cam roller carrier plate 110 has integrally formed on the lower side thereof a hub 113 which has fixed to the bottom end thereof a drive gear 114, by a plurality of machine screws 115. As best seen in FIG. 2 and 3, the drive gear 114 meshes with and drives a pinion gear 116 which is operatively mounted on the vertical chain shaft 64. Operatively mounted on the shaft 64 in a position spaced below the pinion gear 116 is a drive gear 117 that meshes with a gear 118 which is fixed on the lower end of the other chain shaft 59. It will be seen that when the open end cam 107 is rotated, the carrier plate 110 is rotated intermittently and the chain shafts 69 and 64 are driven with an intermittent motion through the last described cam-and gear drive means.

The last described conveyor chain means engages the containers 13 in an intermittent manner after they have been filled at the filler apparatus 54 and moves them along the support rail 11 to a first work station where they are engaged by a folding means in the form of a folding rod 121, shown in FIG. 6. The folding rod 121 includes a first angled portion 122 which angles outwardly, as shown in FIG. 6, and upwardly, as shown in FIG. 1, so as to slidably engage the outer surface of a first container flat end closure panel 119 and fold the same over and inwardly down to a partially closed and adhesive receiving position (FIG. 9). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the front end 122 of the folding rod 121 is secured in position by a pair of threaded rods 124 which have their lower ends secured to the rod portion 122, and their upper ends extended through holes in a retainer plate 126 and secured in place by nuts 125. The plate 126 is secured by any suitable means, as by welding, to the support bridge 98.

As shown in FIG. 6, the rear end 123 of the folding rod 121 is substantially horizontal and disposed in a position parallel to the support rail 11 so as to maintain the first closure panel 119, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in a partially closed adhesive receiving position.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, a stabilizer rod 127 is mounted opposite the angled folding rod portion 122 for providing a stabilizing effect on a container 13 engaging the folding rod 121. The stabilizer rod 127 is secured to the plate 126 by the rods 128 and the nuts 129. As shown in FIG. 6, the rear end portion 123 of the rod 121 is secured in place by a threaded rod 130 which is secured to a retainer plate 131 by a nut 132. As shown in FIG. 6, the plate 131 is secured by suitable machine screws 133 to a support bar 134. The support bar 134 is fixed at one end by suitable bolt and nut means 135 to the support plate 126. The other end is fixed to machine support frame member 137 by a support bar 136.

As shown in FIG. 6, a suitable adhesive applying means, generally indicated by the numeral 138 is operatively mounted along the support rail 11 and in a position opposite the horizontal portion 123 of the folding I rail 121 and between said folding means first work station and a second station at which is mounted a closing means 153. The adhesive applying means 138 may be any suitable conventional hot melt applicator or gun. A suitable hot melt or adhesive applicator is one available on the market from the Nordson Corporation or Amherst. Ohio. A suitable timer control unit for controlling the hot melt applicator or applying means 138 is one available on the market under the trade-mark AMITRON from Amitron Inc. of Midlothian, Illinois.

As shown in FIG. 9, the adhesive applying applicator or gun 138 is fixed to a support arm 139 which has its rear end slidably mounted between a pair of mounting plates 140 and 143. The support arm 139 is secured in an adjusted position between the plates 140 and 143 by suitable machine screws as 144. The plate 140 has an extension 141 which is secured by machine screws 142 to the support bar 134. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a suitable limit switch control means 146 is operatively mounted with an operating finger 147 disposed between said first and second work stations for indicating that a container 13 is in the adhesive applying position, and also to energize the adhesive applying gun 138 which is connected to a suitable source of adhesive. As shown in FIG. 7, the limit switch 146 is fixedly mounted by any suitable means on a mounting plate 148 which is secured by machine screws 149 to the support bar 134. The limit switch 146 is connected in a conventional manner in the control circuit for the adhesive applying gun 138.

As shown in FIG. 9, the adhesive applying gun 138 is ejecting a pair of streams of adhesive 150. One stream applies adhesive along the exposed edges of the end closure panel 119. The other stream applies adhesive along the exposed surface of the inner end closure panel 119a. However, it will be understood that any number oflines of adhesive may be applied and on any position on the closure panels 1 l9 and 1 190, as desired. As, for example, on a small size container, only one stream could be employed to apply adhesive at the junction between the exposed edge of panel 119 and panel 119a, as shown in FIG. 9A.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, a closing means 153 is operatively mounted at a second work station along the conveyor support rail 11 for folding the second panel 120 of the container flat end top closure to a closed position with the free edge 120a, shown in FIG. 8, overlapping the free edge of the first panel 119. The closing means 153 is a power operated means including a pad or shoe 154 which is threadably mounted on the outer end of a cylinder rod 155 of a suitable conventional fluid operated cylinder, generally indicated by the numeral 156. The pad 154 is secured in place on the rod 155 by a suitable lock nut 157.

The cylinder 156 may be operated by any suitable fluid as, for example, compressed air. The cylinder 156 is provided with inlet and outlet ports which are connected by suitable conduits 158 and 159 to a suitable source of pressurized air. As shown in FIG. 7, the conduits 158 and 159 are operatively connected to a suitable air flow control valve, generally indicated by the numeral 160. The valve 160 is fixedly connected to a mounting bracket 161 by a pair of machine screws 162. The bracket 161 is connected by suitable machine screws 163 to a support bar 164 operatively attached to the bridge 98.

As shown in FIG. 6, a valve operating arm 165 operatively engages a rotating cam 166 carried on the shaft 50. It will be seen that the valve 160 is thus operated in a timed sequence to operate the cylinder. 156 for moving the closing shoe 154 to the operative position indicated by the numeral 154a in FIG. 8 to fold the closure panel 120 over in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 8, and down to a closed horizontal position.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, a sealing pressure means, generally indicated by the numeral 169, is disposed at a third work station over the support rail 11 with its leading or front end adjacent the second work position. The conveyor chain means 40 moves a container 13, which has had its closure panels closed, under the pressure means 169 for pressure sealing action.

The sealing pressure means 169 comprises a flat elongated plate 170 which is disposed longitudinally over the support rail 11 with its rear end terminating adjacent the rear end of the support rail 11. The plate 170 has operatively mounted on its upper side a cooling water chamber 171 which extends throughout the length of the plate 170. As shown in FIG. 6, the cooling chamber 171 has an inlet conduit 172 which is connected to a suitable source of cooling water. An exhaust conduit 173 is provided at the rear end of the cooling chamber 171 for connection to a suitable drain.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pressure means 169 is supported at its rear end by means of a vertical shaft 174 which has its lower end fixed to the pressure means and which extends upwardly through a flange 175 carried on a plate 176 that is attached by suitable machine screws 177 to the bridge 61. A spring means 178 is mounted between the flange 175 and a suitable abutment at the lower end of the shaft 174 for maintaining a downward bias on the pressure means 169. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the front end of the pressure means 169 is operatively supported by a similar spring biased means to the retainer plate 131.

In operation, the conveyor chain means engages a filled container 13 after it has been filled by the filler apparatus 54 and moves it in an intermittent or continuous manner through the aforedescribed work stations. The folding means at the first work station functions to fold the first closure panel 119 downwardly to a partially closed adhesive receiving station. When the container is moved from the first work station to the second work station, the limit switch 146 senses the container and energizes the adhesive applying gun 138 to apply hot melt adhesive or the like to the exposed surfaces of the closure panels 119 and 119a during such movement. When the container is at the second work station the power operated closing means 153 folds the second closure panel over into a closed position and si-' multaneously moves the first closure panel to the closed position with the free edge of the second panel overlapping the first panel. After the panel closing operation, the containers are then moved to the third work station and under the sealing pressure means 169 until they reach the end of the support rail 11 where they are discharged for further processing by the packaging machine.

FIGS. through 14 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention wherein the closing means comprises a closing rod, generally indicated by the numeral 181. The front or leading portion 182 of the folding rod 181 is disposed similar to the stabilizer rod 127 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6. The front end 182 of said closing rod angles laterally outward, as shown in FIG. 11, and upward as shown in FIG. 10, so as to engage the outer face of the second closure panel 120 as a container 13 is moved into the first folding work station and thence past the hot melt adhesive applying gun 138. The front end 182 of saidclosing rod is secured in place similar to the stabilizer rod 127 by attachment rods 183 which are secured by the nuts 184 to the plate 126.

The closing rod 181 is provided with an intermediate portion 185 which functions after the adhesive has been applied to fold the second closure panel over and down to the closed position shown in FIG 12. The intermediate closing rod portion angles downward to the position shown in FIG. 10, from the rear end of the leading portion 182 to a panel closing position shown in FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 12, the rear end portion 123 of the folding rod 121 is also disposed in a lower position than in the first embodiment so as to assist in closing the first panel 119. In the embodiment of FIGS. 10 through 14 the power operated closing means is thus not used. As shown in FIG. 11, a rear end closing rod portion 186 is provided for guiding a container 13 with the closed panels under the sealing pressure means 169. The rear end 186 of the closing rod 181 is supported by an attachment rod 187 and a nut 188 to the plate 131.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention in which the folding means comprises a power operated shoe 153b which is disposed in a position to fold the first closure panel 119 over to the partially closed adhesive receiving position at a first dwell work station, as illustrated in FIG. 16. The power operated folding means 153b is constructed identical to, and it operates identical to the power operated closing means 153 at a second dwell work station. The power operated folding means 153!) is operated in the same manner as the power closing means 153. The power operated folding means 153b is disposed in a laterally offset or diagonal position relative to the power closing means 153. The hot melt glue applying gun 138 is disposed in a position between the power operated folding means 153b and the power closing means 153. A suitable horizontal holding rod 191 is longitudinally disposed between the first dwell work station and the second dwell work station so as to retain the first closure panel 119 in the partially closed adhesive receiving position while the container is moved from the first dwell work station to the second dwell work station and under the hot melt glue applying gun 138. The power closing means 153 engages the second closure panel 120 at the second dwell work station to move it to the fully closed position. The container is then moved under the pressure means 169 for a pressure sealing action in the same manner as carried out for the previously described embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 16, the power folding means 1531) is operatively mounted on a support plate 189 which is fixed by suitable machine screws 190 to the support bar 134.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention herein disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure for use in a container packaging machine, the combination comprising: 8

a. a container conveyor means for supporting and moving a plurality of containers from a receiving station through a plurality of work stations to a discharge station;

b. folding means operatively disposed at a first work station along said conveyor means for folding a first panel of a container flat end closure to a partially closed adhesive receiving position;

c. adhesive applying means operatively disposed along said conveyor means between said first work station and a second work station for applying adhesive to the other surface of said first panel of said container flat end closure as the container is moved from said first work station to said second work station; and,

d. closing means operatively disposed at said second work station along said conveyor means for folding a second panel of said container flat end closure to a closed position and simultaneously moving said first panel to a closed position, with the free edge of said second panel overlapping said first panel.

2. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container fiat end closure as defined in claim 1, including:

a. pressure means operatively disposed at a third work station along said conveyor means, and in a position adjacent said closing means, for engaging the closed container flat end closure panels and exerting a sealing pressure on the same as the containers are moved thereunder.

3. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 2, wherein:

a. said pressure means includes cooling means for exerting a cooling and sealing pressure on said closed container flat end closure panels.

4. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 3,

wherein:

a. said pressure means includes an elongated spring biased plate; and,

b. said cooling means comprises a coolant chamber formed on said plate for cooling said plate.

5. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 1, including:

a. control means operatively mounted along said conveyor means, and operated successively by containers moved by said conveyor means, for determining when a container is in an adhesive application position, and for initiating operation of said adhesive applying means for applying adhesive to the particular container operating said control means.

6. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 5, wherein:

a. said control means includes alirnit switch operatively mounted adjacent said adhesive application position and having an operating arm engaged successively by said containers moved by said conveyor means.

7. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. said folding means at said first work station comprises a folding rod disposed along said conveyor means so as to engage said first panel of a container flat end closure as the container is moved to said first work station to apply a folding pressure on said first panel and move it to said partially closed adhesive receiving position.

8. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 7, wherein:

a. said closing means at said second work station comprises a folding rod disposed along said conveyor means so as to engage said second panel of a container flat end closure as the container is moved to said second work station to apply a closing pressure on said second panel and move it to a closed position.

9. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. said folding means at said first work station comprises a power operated shoe disposed along said conveyor means and movable from an inoperative position to an operative position for engaging said first panel of a container flat end closure when the container is moved to said first work station to apply a folding pressure on said first panel and move it to said partially closed adhesive receiving position.

10. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 9, wherein:

a. said closing means at said second work station comprises a power operated shoe disposed along said conveyor means and movable from an inoperative position to an operative position for engaging said second panel of a container flat end closure when the container is moved to said second work station to apply a closing pressure on said second panel and move it to a closed position.

11. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 10, including:

a. means for operating said power operated shoe folding means and said power operated shoe closing means in a predetermined sequence.

12. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 7, wherein:

a. said closing means at said second work station comprises a power operated shoe disposed along said conveyor means and movable from an inoperative position to an operative position for engaging said second panel of a container flat end closure when the container is moved to said second work station to apply a closing pressure on said second panel and move it to a closed position.

13. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 12, including:

a. means for operating said power operated shoe closing means in a predetermined sequence.

14. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 1, wherein said container conveyor means includes:

a. an elongated container support rail'for slidably supporting a plurality of containers and having a receiving end and a discharge end;

b. means for supporting said elongated container support rail; and,

conveyor endless chain means operatively mounted adjacent said support rail and having container engaging links thereon for engaging said plurality of containers and sliding the same along said support rail for successive operations thereon.

15. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 14,

wherein said means for supporting said elongated support rail includes:

a. a pair of vertically disposed gear racks having their upper ends operatively connected to said support rail;

b. an elongated shaft rotatably mounted parallel to said support rail;

0. a pair of pinions operatively mounted on said shaft and in meshing engagement with said gear racks for moving said gear racks upwardly and downwardly to adjust said support rail upwardly and downwardly; and,

d. manual operating means connected to said shaft for selective rotation of said shaft and pinions.

16. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 14, wherein said container conveyor means includes:

a. power operated drive means for driving said chain means to move said plurality of containers along said support rail.

17. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container fiat end closure as defined in claim 16, wherein:

a. said power operated drive means includes a rotatable open end cam, and a plurality of cam rollers mounted on a rotatable plate drivingly connected to said chain means, with said rollers being engageable by said open end cam for rotating said plate.

18. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 4, including:

a. control means operatively mounted between said first and second work stations along said conveyor means, and operated successively by containers moved by said conveyor means, for determining when a container is at said adhesive application position, and for initiating operation of said adhesive applying means for applying adhesive to the particular container operating said control means.

19. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container fiat end closure as defined in claim 18, wherein:

a. said control means includes a limit switch opera tively mounted between said first and second work stations and having an operating arm engaged successively by said containers as they are moved thereby.

20. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 19, wherein:

a. said folding means at said first work station comprises a folding rod disposed along said conveyor means so as to engage said first panel of a container flat end closure as thecontainer is moved to said first work station to apply a folding pressure on said first panel and move it to said partially closed adhesive receiving position; and,

b. said closing means at said second work station comprises a folding rod disposed along said conveyor means so as to engage said second panel of a container fiat end closure as the container is moved to said second work station to apply a closing pressure on said second panel and move it to a closed position, and said last mentioned folding rod guides the container with the panels in a closed position under a pressure sealing means.

21. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 19, wherein:

a. said folding means at said first work station comprises a folding rod disposed along said conveyor means so as to engage said first panel of a container flat end closure as the container is moved to said first work station to apply a folding pressure on said first panel and move it to said partially closed adhesive receiving position; and,

b. said closing means at said second work station comprises a power operated shoe disposed along said conveyor means and movable from an inoperative position to an operative position for engaging said second panel of a container flat end closure when the container is moved to said second work station to apply a closing pressure on said second panel and move it to a closed position.

22. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 21, including:

a. means for operating said power operated shoe closing means in a predetermined sequence.

23. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 19, wherein:

a. said folding means at said first work station comprises a power operated shoe disposed along said conveyor means and movable from an inoperative position to an operative position for engaging said first panel of a container flat end closure when the container is moved to said first work station to apply a folding pressure on said first panel and move it to said partially closed adhesive receiving position; and,

b. said closing means at said second work station comprises a power operated shoe disposed along said conveyor means and movable from an inoperative position to an operative position for engaging said second panel of a container top end fiat closure when the container is moved to said second work station to apply a closing pressure on said second panel and move it to a closed position.

24. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 23, including:

a. means for operating said power operated shoe folding means and said power operated shoe closing means in a predetermined sequence.

25. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 23, including:

a. a holding rod disposed between said first and second work stations to hold said first panel on a container in said partially closed adhesive receiving position when the container is moved from said first work station to said second work station. l 

1. In an apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure for use in a container packaging machine, the combination comprising: a. a container conveyor means for supporting and moving a plurality of containers from a receiving station through a plurality of work stations to a discharge station; b. folding means operatively disposed at a first work station along said conveyor means for folding a first panel of a container flat end closure to a partially closed adhesive receiving position; c. adhesive applying means operatively disposed along said conveyor means between said first work station and a second work station for applying adhesive to the other surface of said first panel of said container flat end closure as the container is moved from said first work station to said second work station; and, d. closing means operatively disposed at said second work station along said conveyor means for folding a second panel of said container flat end closure to a closed position and simultaneously moving said first panel to a closed position, with the free edge of said second panel overlapping said first panel.
 2. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 1, including: a. pressure means operatively disposed at a third work station along said conveyor means, and in a position adjacent said closing means, for engaging the closed container flat end closure panels and exerting a sealing pressure on the same as the containers are moved thereunder.
 3. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 2, wherein: a. said pressure means includes cooling means for exerting a cooling and sealing pressure on said closed container flat end closure panels.
 4. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 3, wherein: a. said pressure means includes an elongated spring biased plate; and, b. said cooling means comprises a coolant chamber formed on said plate for cooling said plate.
 5. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 1, including: a. control means operatively mounted along said conveyor means, and operated successively by containers moved by said conveyor means, for determining when a container is in an adhesive application position, and for initiating operation of said adhesive applying means for applying adhesive to the particular container operating said control means.
 6. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 5, wherein: a. said control means includes a limit switch operatively mounted adjacent said adhesive application position and having an operating arm engaged successively by said containers moved by said conveyor means.
 7. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. said folding means at said first work station comprises a folding rod disposed along said conveyor means so as to engage said first panel of a container flat end closure as the container is moved to said first work station to apply a folding pressure on said first panel and move it to said partially closed adhesive receiving position.
 8. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 7, wherein: a. said closing means at said second work station comprises a folding rod disposed along said conveyor means so as to engage said second panel of a container flat end closure as the container is moved to said second work station to apply a closing pressure on said second panel and move it to a closed position.
 9. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. said folding means at said first work station comprises a power operated shoe disposed along said conveyor means and movable from an inoperative position to an operative position for engaging said first panel of a container flat end closure when the container is moved to said first work station to apply a folding pressure on said first panel and move it to said partially closed adhesive receiving position.
 10. An apparatus for folding, closing and seAling a container flat end closure as defined in claim 9, wherein: a. said closing means at said second work station comprises a power operated shoe disposed along said conveyor means and movable from an inoperative position to an operative position for engaging said second panel of a container flat end closure when the container is moved to said second work station to apply a closing pressure on said second panel and move it to a closed position.
 11. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 10, including: a. means for operating said power operated shoe folding means and said power operated shoe closing means in a predetermined sequence.
 12. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 7, wherein: a. said closing means at said second work station comprises a power operated shoe disposed along said conveyor means and movable from an inoperative position to an operative position for engaging said second panel of a container flat end closure when the container is moved to said second work station to apply a closing pressure on said second panel and move it to a closed position.
 13. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 12, including: a. means for operating said power operated shoe closing means in a predetermined sequence.
 14. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 1, wherein said container conveyor means includes: a. an elongated container support rail for slidably supporting a plurality of containers and having a receiving end and a discharge end; b. means for supporting said elongated container support rail; and, c. conveyor endless chain means operatively mounted adjacent said support rail and having container engaging links thereon for engaging said plurality of containers and sliding the same along said support rail for successive operations thereon.
 15. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 14, wherein said means for supporting said elongated support rail includes: a. a pair of vertically disposed gear racks having their upper ends operatively connected to said support rail; b. an elongated shaft rotatably mounted parallel to said support rail; c. a pair of pinions operatively mounted on said shaft and in meshing engagement with said gear racks for moving said gear racks upwardly and downwardly to adjust said support rail upwardly and downwardly; and, d. manual operating means connected to said shaft for selective rotation of said shaft and pinions.
 16. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 14, wherein said container conveyor means includes: a. power operated drive means for driving said chain means to move said plurality of containers along said support rail.
 17. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 16, wherein: a. said power operated drive means includes a rotatable open end cam, and a plurality of cam rollers mounted on a rotatable plate drivingly connected to said chain means, with said rollers being engageable by said open end cam for rotating said plate.
 18. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 4, including: a. control means operatively mounted between said first and second work stations along said conveyor means, and operated successively by containers moved by said conveyor means, for determining when a container is at said adhesive application position, and for initiating operation of said adhesive applying means for applying adhesive to the particular container operating said control means.
 19. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 18, wherein: a. said control means Includes a limit switch operatively mounted between said first and second work stations and having an operating arm engaged successively by said containers as they are moved thereby.
 20. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 19, wherein: a. said folding means at said first work station comprises a folding rod disposed along said conveyor means so as to engage said first panel of a container flat end closure as the container is moved to said first work station to apply a folding pressure on said first panel and move it to said partially closed adhesive receiving position; and, b. said closing means at said second work station comprises a folding rod disposed along said conveyor means so as to engage said second panel of a container flat end closure as the container is moved to said second work station to apply a closing pressure on said second panel and move it to a closed position, and said last mentioned folding rod guides the container with the panels in a closed position under a pressure sealing means.
 21. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 19, wherein: a. said folding means at said first work station comprises a folding rod disposed along said conveyor means so as to engage said first panel of a container flat end closure as the container is moved to said first work station to apply a folding pressure on said first panel and move it to said partially closed adhesive receiving position; and, b. said closing means at said second work station comprises a power operated shoe disposed along said conveyor means and movable from an inoperative position to an operative position for engaging said second panel of a container flat end closure when the container is moved to said second work station to apply a closing pressure on said second panel and move it to a closed position.
 22. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 21, including: a. means for operating said power operated shoe closing means in a predetermined sequence.
 23. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 19, wherein: a. said folding means at said first work station comprises a power operated shoe disposed along said conveyor means and movable from an inoperative position to an operative position for engaging said first panel of a container flat end closure when the container is moved to said first work station to apply a folding pressure on said first panel and move it to said partially closed adhesive receiving position; and, b. said closing means at said second work station comprises a power operated shoe disposed along said conveyor means and movable from an inoperative position to an operative position for engaging said second panel of a container top end flat closure when the container is moved to said second work station to apply a closing pressure on said second panel and move it to a closed position.
 24. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 23, including: a. means for operating said power operated shoe folding means and said power operated shoe closing means in a predetermined sequence.
 25. An apparatus for folding, closing and sealing a container flat end closure as defined in claim 23, including: a. a holding rod disposed between said first and second work stations to hold said first panel on a container in said partially closed adhesive receiving position when the container is moved from said first work station to said second work station. 